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If you like your heroes hot, the sex hotter, and a swoon-worthy romance to swoop in and save your happily ever after, Brazen has the story for you. Sinfully sexy soldiers. Alpha cops who demand control. Sweet guys with a naughty side in the bedroom. At Brazen, they've got the hero destined to melt your... heart. Visit the Entangled website, the Brazen Blog, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and follow them on Pinterest.

Introducing Brazen's March 31st releases:

Friends with benefits was never the plan...

Melanie Jacobs’s chances for having a family are shrinking with every passing day. Her only comfort is her best friend, sexy cowboy Colton Freeze, but when a heated argument between them turns into an even hotter kiss, the boundaries of their friendship are blurred. But will their new friends-with-sexy-benefits arrangement destroy everything they once shared?

Kennedy O’Connell had all the happiness she’d ever dreamed—until someone stole it away. Now on the run for her life, she has a choice to make—disappear forever or make those responsible pay. Her choice is easy.

Two men want to help her, each with their own agenda.

Detective Nick Gallagher is accustomed to pursuing killers within the law. Targeted for death, his life turned inside out, Nick vows to bring down those responsible, no matter the cost. But the beautiful and innocent Kennedy O’Connell brings out every protective instinct. Putting aside his own need for vengeance, he’ll do whatever is necessary to keep her safe and help her achieve her goals.

Billionaire philanthropist Grey Justice has a mission, too. Dubbed the ‘White Knight’ of those in need of a champion, few people are aware of his dark side. Having seen and experienced injustice—Grey knows its bitter taste. Gaining justice for those who have been wronged is a small price to pay for a man’s humanity.

With the help of a surprising accomplice, the three embark on a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The stage is set, the players are ready…the game is on. But someone is playing with another set of rules and survivors are not an option.

Excerpt

Nick opened his apartment door and headed straight to his bedroom to change into a pair of shorts and an old sweatshirt. About the only way he had to battle the hopelessness inside him was to beat the hell out of his boxing bag and work himself into exhaustion. He was halfway to the kitchen for a bottle of water when he realized he wasn’t alone. The dark figure of a man sitting in a chair in the corner caught his eye.

Cursing his inattentiveness, he grabbed the closest weapon—a bust of Sherlock Holmes—and turned toward the intruder.

“Before you allow Mr. Holmes to bash my head in, wouldn’t you like to know why I’m here?”

The crisp British voice sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place it. Nick replied coolly, “I’m more of an attack-first-and-ask-questions-later kind of guy.”

“Pity. You don’t seem the type to go off half-cocked.”

“Depends on the situation. Having some asshole break into my house is the type of thing that pisses me off.”

“Understandable, but you can often learn more things if you wait awhile.”

“Or you can get yourself killed. Now, tell me who the hell you are and why you’re here.”

“Let’s talk first. Then we’ll decide if we want to exchange personal information.”

If the man was going to shoot him, he would’ve done so by now. Nick lowered the statue to his side but held on to it just in case. He reached for the light switch on the wall.

“No lights.”

“So I’m not allowed to know your name or what you look like?”

“Not yet. Have a seat.”

Despite the aggravation of having a stranger break into his house and the man’s numerous rules, Nick was intrigued. He pulled his hand back from the light switch. “I’ll stand. Now tell me what the hell you want.”

“I want what you want—to bring Mathias Slater and his goons to justice.”

If he hadn’t captured Nick’s attention before, he sure as hell had it now. “What do you know about Slater?”

“That he’s into more shit than anyone could ever imagine.”

“And why do you care?”

“Let’s just say that seeing bad guys get what’s coming to them is a hobby of mine.”

“And how can you assist me in seeing that Slater gets what’s coming to him?”

“By giving you access to information you can’t get through your channels.”

“You mean illegal channels.”

“Semantics. What you see as illegal, I see as creative license.”

Still wary but more interested than ever, Nick returned the statue to the end table and dropped down onto the sofa. “Okay, you have my undivided attention.”

“Excellent. However, we need to come to an agreement before we go further.”

“Such as?”

“If you decline my proposal, this discussion never happened.”

“Agreed.”

“Excellent.”

“You’re just going to take my word for it?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t already know you can be trusted, Mr. Gallagher.”

Where and how he’d gotten information on Nick could wait till another time.

“Okay, I’m listening.”

“Mathias Slater and his antics hit my radar several years ago. I’ve tried penetrating his tight-knit circle. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten only so far before someone ratted out my informant.”

“And how can I help? If you know that much about me, then you already know that I’ve run into a road block in every avenue I’ve taken against Slater.”

“That’s true. However, you have an avenue you don’t even know you can take.”

“And what’s that?”

“There’s a folder on the table in front of you. Take a look inside.”

Nick didn’t move…considered what could be inside.

“I’m glad to see that my informants were correct. You have a short fuse, but it’s tempered with a deliberative cautiousness.”

“I’m assuming that I’ll be allowed to turn on the lights to look at the folder.”

“That’s correct. Another reason why your deliberation is important. You turn on those lights, you will have information that could destroy not only me, but negatively impact the lives of thousands.”

Nick reached up and flipped on the lamp beside him. Light illuminated the man sitting in the corner and he knew why the voice had sounded so familiar. This was a man known to millions. And he was right—if anyone discovered the truth, thousands of lives would be affected.

Deciding to mull over the man’s identity later, Nick grabbed the folder and opened it. The instant he saw the first photograph, everything within him froze. He looked up at the man who sat so calmly across from him and whispered hoarsely, “What do I need to do?”

Christy Reece is the award winning and New York Times Bestselling author of dark and sexy romantic suspense. She lives in Alabama with her husband, four precocious canines, an incredibly curious cat, a very shy turtle, and a super cute flying squirrel named Elliott.

Christy also writes steamy, southern suspense under the pen name Ella Grace.

Welcome to Pistol Rock, Texas where everyone knows secrets last about as long as the sporadic west Texas rain showers.

Laney Briggs has long been considered reckless by the denizens of her hometown, but she’s finally turned it all around—she’s happily engaged to the local veterinarian and she’s become a Pistol Rock deputy sheriff. Everything’s fine and dandy—until a dead body turns up and her ex, Texas Ranger Gunner Wilson, decides to stick his boots into the town’s first murder case. Of course, the troublesome cowboy’s rugged good looks and T-shirt-straining muscles are already leaving Laney knee-deep in hot water, but she’ll be damned if she lets Gunner trample all over her turf. She’s decided that, instead of conflict, she wants a contented, steady life with her vet—a life in which Gunner Wilson and his seemingly endless ability to undermine her resolve and her libido plays no part. Still, it’s hard to keep her head as forbidden sparks ignite and suspicions arise between old rivals and old flames. And when the bodies start to pile up, Laney has to ask the lethal bad boy for a hand—and a truce in exchange for his help. But after uncovering the pack of lies surrounding not only her job but her heart… Having an ex-boyfriend as an ally might not be the best idea, but it’s certainly the most reckless, and Laney has always been pretty reckless…

My Review

Laney has always been the wild and crazy girl in town. She has turned her life around is a deputy sheriff and engaged to a great guy. Her life should be simple an happy but it gets turned around when her ex Gunner shows back up. He is a Texas Ranger and on the trail of a drug ring. It seems to have come to the town od Pistol Rock and he is going to stop it. Now they have to work together to figure things out before more bodies turn up. Working together is bad because they still have many feelings between them and many don't want them back together.

Laney is so amazing. She is tough, doesn't back down is sexy yet she still has a few faults that make her seem so real. She is confused on her feelings and she has many thoughts run through her head that you can really connect with. Gunner is a very sexy cowboy who will do anything to stop bad guys and try to get Laney to give him another chance. He tries to make up for his past mistakes and at times he can be a smart ass but he sure does make you laugh.

Dead people, dead cows, drug dealers and so much more are in this delightful book. I was hooked from page one and wanted so much more. I am glad to see it is a series as I want more of Laney. There is tons of danger and you don't know who to trust but Laney never gives up. She keeps digging with Gunner's help to figure it out even when she is getting beat up and sometimes worse. She seems to have a great fiancé everyone thinks is so great but even h has a past. Gunner messed up years ago and Laney made him pay for it. I love how they react to each other. Gunner wants to help Laney and tries his best to show her he is the man for her. Laney is trying to be less reckless but finds it hard to do at times. Her mom and fiancé think the know what is best for her and try in many ways to run her life. She has to show everyone she may be reckless but she is also a great cop who is out to stop the bad guys. If you like a character you can really enjoy who faces down danger and has lots of spice be sure to read this one.

When Emma Bailey’s brother disappears, leaving her in possession of dangerous information, there’s no one she can turn to for help. Her desperate search for her brother leads her to a remote island where she discovers the one man who can help her is a man she can’t trust.

Cole Stevens is on a mission to bring down the drug mastermind who threatens to destroy the lives of his family. His plans take an unexpected turn when Emma runs head first into his investigation. Not only is she a danger to his heart, but her brother is one of his key suspects.

Cole and Emma reluctantly join forces to unravel a web of deceit that reaches deeper into their lives than either had imagined. As the lies unravel they will be forced to choose between fear of betrayal and their willingness to put their emotions on the line in order to save the people they love.

My Review

Emma is hunting for her brother who disappeared. He left her with some dangerous information that others would kill to have. She finds herself on an island looking for clues. She finds she isn't alone and a man from her past is there. Cole will do anything to bring down a drug mastermind. His family is in danger and it is up to him to save them. He isn't sure if he can trust Emma and Emma isn't sure about him either. They have feelings for each other but those will be put to the test as trust is always in question.

Emma is willing to put herself in danger to save her brother and will stop at nothing to find him and prove he is an innocent. She liked Cole before had things happen that made trust a big issue. She is afraid to share all she knows and has to learn. Cole just wants his family safe and to keep the mastermind from getting to them again. He has made a few mistakes but will do anything to keep from doing them again. He cares for Emma and he has to learn as she does that they can help each other.

I really enjoyed this book as the characters were a joy to get to know and to see them slowly form a real relationship with trust and love. They both make a few mistakes along the way and they face lots of danger as well. Emma has something they want and they will do whatever it takes to get that from her. She does great at staying strong and keeping her wits about her. She is smart and uses her brain even in situations where she could have just let jealousy get the best of her. There is lots of heat between the two and they are amazing together. If you like a great action packed and intriguing book be sure to pick this one up.

A hopeless crush…Back in high school, Allie McBride thought the sun set around Sam Fratto’s smiles, even if they were only friends. Now she’s older, wiser, hotter, and teaching at the same school they grew up in. When Sam joins the faculty, she has a chance to make good on the crush that got away. But when a dead body turns up on school grounds, they realize there might be a murderer in their midst. The heat keeps getting hotter between Allie and Sam, but more might be in danger than their hearts…

The cute kid from high school is all grown up…

A family crisis brings true-crime writer Sam Fratto back to town after more than a decade’s absence. Teaching at his alma mater seems like a good way to pass the time—especially when he sees that Allie, the geeky, sweet-mannered girl from high school, has blossomed into the saucy teacher in the classroom next door. Too bad finding a dead body transforms his return into one of his true-crime books come to life. And when it seems the killer might be after Allie next, it’s up to him to keep her safe…

A killer determined to keep the past buried at any price…

As if dealing with the return of one ghost from her past wasn’t enough, it looks like the killer might be the person they least suspected. Someone from the past. Someone with something to hide. Someone who thinks Allie and Sam are getting a little too close to the truth. If Allie and Sam are going to get out of this alive, these two friends to lovers will have to work together…or die together…

My Review

Allie always had a crush on Sam growing up but he never noticed her. Now she has grown into a sexy, smart woman who is a single mom and teacher at their old high school. She never forgot Sam. Sam is a crime writer who has come back home to help his sick mother. He is helping out at the school and now sees the Allie. He remembers her as a sweet girl in school but she is different from what she used to be. A body turns up at school and the two work together to figure out who killed their old teacher years ago. However the killer doesn't want to be found and will do anything to stop the two.

This is a very good mystery book as you try to figure out along side Allie and Sam who did it and why. They start off with a few problem when they meet again but quickly move on. I have to say I did not connect with either one a whole lot. I just couldn't click with them. I did enjoy the mystery and unraveling all the secrets from the past. A lot went on and you kept guessing till the end. There is a romance between Allie and Sam. I am sure if you like a mystery with danger and some romance you will enjoy this book.

Hi everyone! I have a stop on the Moonlight On My Mind blog tour. There is a review of the book and a giveaway for you all.

Moonlight on My Mind

By: Jennifer McQuiston

Releasing March 25th, 2014

Blurb

To ruin a man’s life once takes a regrettable mistake.

To do so twice takes a woman like Julianne Baxter.

Eleven months ago, Julianne’s statement to the authorities wrongly implicated Patrick, the new Earl of Haversham, in his older brother’s death. The chit is as much trouble as her red hair suggests, and just as captivating. Now she has impetuously tracked him to the wilds of Scotland, insisting that he return home to face a murder charge and save his family from ruin. A clandestine wedding may be the only way to save her reputation—and his neck from the hangman’s noose.

Julianne has no objection to the match. More and more she’s convinced of Patrick’s innocence, though when it comes to igniting her passions, the man is all too guilty. And if they can only clear his name, a marriage made in haste could bring about the most extraordinary pleasure…

My Review

Julianne gave a statement that Patrick killed his older brother. She now thinks she is wrong and as his father has now died she sets out to find him and bring him home. Patrick knows he needs to marry her to keep her from testifying or he could be facing a hangman's noose. It seems Julianne has a habit of getting into things and Patrick will have his hands full. They come back to face the scandal and to try and save Patrick. They may have been married do to odd circumstances but Julianne will do anything to save Patrick She really cares for him and hopes he does her as well. They have a danger close to home and they need to find who really killed Patrick's brother before the killer kills again.

This is a delightful historical romance. I really liked both characters as they are different from what they are classed to be. Julianne is head strong and jumps before looking. Patrick loves to help animals when he should be a Lord of leisure. They both butt heads constantly but have the same goal. Julianne isn't one to lay down and stay safe at home. They have a great chemistry in bed bit have t work on other things. They need to communicate with each other more. There is a killer that needs to be found so there is plenty of danger in this book. I enjoyed every bit of it as I am sure many fans will. Don't think you have it all figured out because the author does an amazing job throwing in some surprises.

A veterinarian and infectious disease researcher by training, Jennifer McQuiston has always preferred reading romance to scientific textbooks. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, their two girls, and an odd assortment of pets, including the pony she promised her children if mommy ever got a book deal. Jennifer can be reached via her website at www.jenmcquiston.com or followed on Twitter @jenmcqwrites.

“M-Mr. Stonehart,” I stutter, turning. I curse my inability to hide my surprise. He totally caught me off-guard. I have to look up to meet his eyes. Then up some more.

The face that I find is so striking it should belong to a Greek god.

He’s younger than I expected. Late thirties, maybe early forties.

That means he started his company when he was younger than me!

Dark scruff lines his angular cheeks. His jet-black hair is styled in long, natural waves. My fingers itch to run through it.

Totally inappropriate.

He has a prominent nose that might be too big on a less imposing man, but on him, it’s perfect.

In short, he’s a package of the purest masculinity I’ve ever seen.

And then there are his eyes. Oh my God. His eyes. They pierce into me like honing missiles. They are the deepest black I have ever seen. They would be frightening if they weren’t so beautiful. When the light reflects a certain way, you catch a glimpse of the purple underneath.

They are like midnight sapphires. His eyes reveal a cunning intellect. Those eyes do not miss a thing.

Add all that to his towering height, his wide shoulders, his confident-yet-at-ease posture… and Stonehart cuts an intimidating figure.

My gaze darts to his left hand before I can stop it. No ring. He’s unmarried.

He looks down at me, expectantly. His eyes narrow ever so slightly, and I feel like I’m being dissected, measured up, and tucked away in some small corner of his brain. I imagine this is what a gemstone feels like under the magnifying class of the most critical appraiser.

Stonehart clears his throat. I come to with a start, realizing I haven’t said anything in ages. I open my mouth, but the capacity for speech seems like a foreign concept to my brain. “I—”

Somebody bumps into me from behind. I stagger forward. I’m not used to these shoes, so my heel steps the wrong way. My ankle twists under me, and I start to fall.

I don’t fall far. The hand still on my elbow tightens, and Stonehart pulls me into him.

I plaster myself onto the solid steel wall the man has for a body. I catch a scent of his cologne. It’s a deep, musky smell with a hint of charred spruce that is all male. It scrambles my thoughts even more.

“Sorry!” a rushed voice calls out. From the corner of my eye, I see the postman giving a hurried, apologetic wave.

Although the sequence lasts less than a second, it feels like an eternity. Pressed up against him like that, I don’t want to move. I know that I couldn’t have made a worse first impression.

Stonehart eases me off him with a firm yet gentle grip. Our eyes meet. I flush the most vibrant red. His fingers graze my forehead as he brushes a lock of hair out of my face.

Any tenderness I may have imagined vanishes when Stonehart takes out his cell. He long dials a key and growls an order. “Steven. See the delivery boy leaving right now? Have his building pass revoked.”

I gape. Stonehart keeps speaking. “Wait. I thought of one better. Bar his company from accessing the building.” There’s a pause. “For how long? Indefinitely. FedEx can talk to me when they have an improved employee selection program in place.”

The phone call gives me just enough time to compose myself. My heart’s still beating out of my chest. But nobody has to know that.

I speak without thinking. “You’re going to restrict the entire company from serving this building because of that?”

Stonehart humors me with an answer. “A company’s employees are its most important asset. Their behavior reflects the organization as a whole. If FedEx decided that clown is good enough for them, it tells me they’re sloppy. I do not do business with sloppy organizations.”

“What about the other tenants in the building?” I ask. “Won’t that piss them off?”

Stonehart’s eyes darken, as if he cannot believe I asked that question. I open my mouth to apologize for my imprudence, hating the way my professional skills have evaporated into thin air. I’m cut off by a short, barked laugh.

“Miss Ryder.” He sounds amused. “I believe that is the most direct and honest question anybody has dared ask me in weeks.” He takes my elbow again and leads me to the elevators. I have to take two quick steps to match one of his long strides.

“Yes,” he continues. “They will be ‘pissed off.’ But the perk of owning a building—” he hits the elevator call button, “—is that you get to make executive decisions.” He gives me an unreadable glance as the doors open. “That is, at the risk of being questioned by inexperienced interns.”

If that isn’t a loaded remark, I don’t know what is. I flush scarlet red for the third time since I’ve met him. I’ve never had a man throw me so off balance.

The elevator is packed, for which I’m infinitely thankful. The trip up will give me some time to properlycompose myself.

Gratitude turns to panic when the crowd files out, meek as mice, when Stonehart steps in. None of the people waiting in the lobby follow us.

The doors close. I’m alone in here with him. My heart’s beating as fast as a hummingbird’s wings.

He catches me staring. “Impressed?” he asks.

“They know you,” I manage.

His dark eyes flash with amusement. “Astute.”

Author Info

I’m Scarlett Edwards. I wrote my first book as a college sophomore. After six months of edits, it made its debut as Yours to Savor.

That was at the start of 2013. I’ve written more books since then. You can find them all here.

It’s funny how quickly life changes. I used to think I’d need a degree to get a “Real Job.” Then I wrote a few books, they got somewhat popular, and now I’m living the life as a full-time romance author.

Hi everyone! I have a stop on the Falling For The Wingman blog tour today. There is a review of the book, an excerpt and a giveaway for you all.

Falling for the Wingman

Kelly Brothers Series Book Three

By: Crista McHugh

Releasing March 3rd, 2014

Blurb

Air Force pilot Caleb Kelly has come back home with one mission in mind—to propose to the woman whose letters and lucky charm helped him survive his deployment in Afghanistan. But when he finds their apartment empty with a note saying she’s left him, he arrives at her mother’s house in rural Alabama less than a week before Kourtney is about to marry another man. Now he’s out to win her heart again and gets some unexpected assistance from her younger sister, Alex.

Alex Leadbetter has always thought Caleb was too good for her manipulative, social-climbing sister. She had assumed Kourtney’s identity to write letters to him and keep his spirits up until he returned home to the hard truth, never expecting to fall in love with him along the way. After he shows up in town, she convinces him that the best way to get Kourtney back is to make her think he’s fallen for someone new — her. But when a fake romance becomes all too real, her deception may leave them both grounded.

My Review

Caleb comes home from Afghanistan looking to propose to his love. What he finds is she is gone and only left a note behind for him and that she is getting married. She is all that kept him going in the war and he isn't ready to give up. Alex has always wanted Caleb even when he was with her sister. She knows he is to good for her sister but she will do whatever it takes to show him she cares even if it is to help him get her sister back. She convinces him if they act like a couple her sister will come back. What she doesn't tell him is that she is the one who wrote him the emails that helped him get through the war. It starts out fake but soon they see they could have so much more.

Alex is a character I can really like. She is a girl who loves simple things and her small town. She also loves working on cars and isn't a girly girl type. I liked her right away. You see she is also someone with a big heart who cares for others. Caleb is great guy who just has trouble seeing what is right in front of him. He hates to use anyone and feels guilty when he starts to see Alex in a different light. He is very confused and has to work through it and he truly wants the best for Alex.

I really liked this story as the characters are wonderful. I liked the story and how Caleb as to open his eyes to the woman he really needs to be with. Alex has a hard family to deal with. Her mom and sister treat her bad and blame her for everything it seems. Her sister I didn't care for at all. She is selfish and a jerk to put it nicely. I liked how Alex interacts with the people of the town. There is plenty of sexual heat in this book as well. They try to not go to far but it is to much for them to do. If you like a great story about characters try this one.

Caleb Kelly rammed the clutch and shifted gears. The engine of his classic Baldwin Motion Camaro growled in response and accelerated along the two-lane highway in rural Alabama, but it still wasn’t fast enough. He was already too late as it was, and every second that crept by felt like an eternity.

Kourtney had left him, and now he was chasing his last chance to win her back.

The ringing of his phone interrupted the Metallica blasting through the radio, and he clicked on the Bluetooth. “What?”

“I’m asking myself the same goddamn thing.” The speedometer teetered on seventy, but he felt like he was crawling. “I came home expecting to find Kourtney there, and all I found was a note.”

“She left you while you were deployed?”

“Yep.” A beat-up Ford Taurus pulled out in front of him. Caleb slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the car, but his heart kept pace with the RPMs of his engine.

“Did she give you any warning?”

“Nothing.” He paused and recounted all the emails she’d sent him while he was gone. None of them seemed to indicate she was unhappy. Yes, they mentioned that she missed him, and some of the later ones indicated she was bored living in Ft. Walton without him, but none of them prepared him for the dust-covered letter that was waiting on his pillow when he came back from Afghanistan. “Until I walked through the door this afternoon, I expected her to be waiting for me.”

Of course, his first warning should’ve been when he didn’t spot her with the other families at the airfield.

“When did you last hear from her?”

“About a month ago. She didn’t answer my last few emails, but I always wonder how much the DOD lets go through.”

“What did her note say?”

Caleb tightened his jaw and drummed on the steering wheel. The driver in front of him seemed oblivious to his haste, cruising along the highway as part of a leisurely Sunday drive. “She said she wasn’t cut out to be an Air Force girlfriend.”

“She knew what she was getting into when she started dating you.” A heavy sigh came from the other end. “Are you sure you want her back?”

Caleb ran his hand over the small metal bulge in his pocket. It was a small figurine of an angel made out of watch parts and other pieces of scrap metal. The halo was purposely crooked, and the wings appeared to be made from an antique Army Air Corps pilot badge. Kourtney had given it to him before he deployed, joking that it was a good luck charm. He’d carried it with him on every mission, and more than once, he’d escaped some tense situations without a scratch.

But it was more than the good luck charm. He’d been crazy about her before he left—as hot as she was, what man wouldn’t be—but while he was away, he’d discovered a new side to her. Her emails revealed a woman of strength, patience, and hope that endeared her to his heart. When he was alone and cold and worried if he’d come out of the next mission alive, she’d always say something that would set his soul at ease. As his deployment came to closer to the end, so did his resolution to marry her.

“I doubt you’d understand, Adam.”

“Try me. After all, I’m the first one of us getting married.”

“If Ben doesn’t beat you to it.” The ribbing soothed some of Caleb’s frustration, and a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. Both of his older brothers had found women they couldn’t live without. Now it was his turn. “Remember how I told you she was special before I left?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, she’s more than that. She kept me alive over there with her letters, and now I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

His brother gave him a low whistle. “That serious, huh?”

“As a heart attack. I even bought her a ring.”

“Wow.” The line fell silent for a few seconds. “Does Mom know about this?”

“No way. She hated Kourtney.”

“And knowing that, you’re still determined to marry her?”

“Mom just needs to see her for who she truly is.” The Taurus in front of him turned down a side road, and Caleb floored the accelerator. “I’ve got to go, Adam. I’ll let you know how it turns out.”

****

Alex Leadbetter’s heart jumped when she heard a car approach her mother’s house. A 450-horsepower, seven-liter V8 semi-hemi that purred like a kitten when idle and roared like a lion when fully revved up. The perfect engine for a classic muscle car like a 1970 Phase III-SS 454 Camaro. And she knew only one person who drove a car like that.

Caleb Kelly.

She excused herself from the tedious conversation revolving around the seating at Kourtney’s wedding reception and went to the front door. A peek out the window confirmed what she already knew, and her gut tightened. At the very far of the driveway sat the midnight blue Camaro with white striping, and its owner was stomping up the walkway like a man on a mission.

Shit!

She should’ve known he’d come chasing after her older sister. Every idiot of a man did. She just hoped Caleb would’ve been different.

Or that he would’ve at least gotten the hint from the last few emails she’d sent him while posing as her sister. She’d purposely tried to prepare him for an empty apartment by hinting that “Kourtney” was getting bored in Ft. Walton and wanted to leave.

She slipped out the front door to intercept him before he banged on the door and blew a gasket in front of Kourtney and her sister’s future in-laws. “Caleb,” she said, pouring every ounce of Southern sweetness into her drawl, “what brings you here?”

He yanked off his aviator sunglasses, his blue eyes dark with fury, but her pulse fluttered like a giddy teenager’s in front of her crush. Sweet Jesus, even while scowling, he made her head fuzzy. He was tall and lean, but his biceps bulged underneath his fitted T-shirt. His brown hair pushed at the limits of regulation length, the ends curling ever so slightly in the late April humidity. The man was walking, breathing temptation on two legs, and her self-absorbed sister definitely didn’t deserve him.

“Where is she?”

So much for pleasantries. “Where’s who?”

“Cut the crap, Alex. I know she’s in there.”

He tried to get past her, but she wedged her arms between the columns on the front porch of her mother’s plantation-style home and blocked him. “What makes you think that?”

He pointed to the red BMW 335i in the driveway. “I know her car. Now let me in.” He pried her arms down, sending a little shock through her that stunned her enough to let him by.

Then she regained her senses. She ran and plastered herself against the front door to keep him from barging inside. Part of her wanted him to go in and learn the truth about her sister. The other part wanted to spare him the pain. “Caleb, you really don’t want to go in there.”

“Why not?” He crossed his arms and continued to scowl at her.

Time to see how much he knew. “Have you been following Kourtney on Facebook?”

“No, I wasn’t allowed access to it while I was deployed.” His jaw tightened, and a look of panic crossed his face. “What are you hiding from me? She’s not pregnant or something, is she?”

If she were, you certainly wouldn’t be the baby daddy. Her sister had moved back to Jackson Grove within a week of Caleb’s departure to Afghanistan and immediately hooked up with Ryan McClure, heir to the McClure family timber fortune. Within three months, she’d gotten him to propose and started planning the biggest wedding this county had seen in over a decade. “No, she’s not pregnant.”

As far as I know. It would be like her sister to get knocked up just so she’d have some leverage over her fiancé.

“Then why won’t you let me inside, Alex?”

She took a deep breath and offered a silent prayer, hoping he’d leave as soon as he learned the truth. “Because Kourtney’s in there with her future in-laws finalizing the details for her wedding next weekend.”

Caleb stumbled back like a man who’d just been punched in the gut. “She’s getting married?”

His face paled, and when she touched his cheek, it was cool and clammy, despite the eighty-degree heat. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way—”

He silenced her by pushing her hand away and bolting for the door. “Kourtney?” he called into the house.

“Damn it, Caleb!” Alex spun around and chased after him, running into his back when stopped suddenly at the entrance to the front parlor.

Now it was Kourtney’s turn to go pale. Or at least as pale as she could go under the layers of orange-glow spray tan. Her brown eyes widened, and she rose unsteadily to her feet like she’d just seen a ghost. “Caleb, what are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” He glared at Ryan and curled his hands into fists. “I thought you were going to wait for me to come back from Afghanistan.”

Kourtney swallowed, and her cool queen bee exterior fell back into place. “Didn’t you get my note?”

“Yes.”

“Then you know why I left,” she said as though it was all his fault.

Ryan stood and wrapped his arm possessively around Kourtney’s waist, his eyes narrowing in challenge as he stared at Caleb. “Besides, she’s moved on to better things.”

Caleb’s fists flexed, and Alex’s heart did a double-time skip. If this situation didn’t get diffused soon, the groom would be sporting a black eye for the wedding, and Caleb would be spending more than one night in jail, especially since Ryan’s father played golf with Judge Ramsey.

She moved between them and pushed Caleb back into the hallway. “Please don’t make a scene,” she whispered.

“I’m not leaving until I have answers.”

“But this is not the proper time nor place.”

“I need to talk to her.”

“And you will, but let me try to smooth things over first.”

Behind them, Ryan’s father grumbled something about calling the police, and she pressed all her weight against Caleb’s chest, shoving him a few inches closer to the door. “Do you remember the Iron Line bar in town?” she asked.

His attention finally flickered from Kourtney and Ryan to her. “Yes.”

“Head over there and have a beer. Tell Earl to put it on my tab. I’ll meet you as soon as I can get away from this mess.”

He glanced over her shoulder to the crowd of people gathering around her overly distressed sister. Then he leveled those piercing blue eyes on her and said, “Fine, but if you’re not there in an hour, I’ll be back.”

The look on his face showed he wouldn’t leave so easily next time.

Alex exhaled a sigh of relief. With any luck, she wouldn’t have to call J.T. to keep Caleb out of jail. “I’ll be there faster than a swarm of ants on a picnic.”

He took a few more steps back, his normally luscious mouth pressed in an unrelenting line, before turning around and letting himself out the front door. The Camaro roared to life like an angry jaguar, followed by the squeal of tires.

Don’t you dare get pulled over being an ass. She might be best friends with the police chief’s son, but friendship wouldn’t protect Caleb from stupidity.

Alex turned around just as her mother strutted from the front parlor. Her uptight walk could’ve been blamed on the fitted pencil skirt that clung to the former beauty queen’s still-shapely legs, but the pursed-lip frown warned Alex it was time for her to leave, too.

“What was he doing here?” her mother demanded in an angry whisper.

“No idea.” Alex tried to brush past her mother, but the pissed-off matriarch grabbed her by the arm and hauled her back.

“Don’t give me any sass, Alexandra. What did he say to you?”

Alex rolled her eyes. “Just what you’d expect him to say after coming home and finding Kourtney gone. He was here for answers.”

“He embarrassed us in front of the McClures.”

“If Kourtney had handled breaking up with him like a grown-up, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Why didn’t you try to stop him? Do you have any idea how much he upset your sister?” Her mother donned the same wounded Southern belle simper Kourtney had worn minutes before.

Alex massaged her temples. She had to get out of this crazy house before she said something she regretted. Or worse, before Caleb came charging back in. “Let me handle him, Mama. You go back to the McClures, and I’ll make sure he doesn’t make another scene.”

She grabbed her keys off the hook by the front door and ran to her rebuilt ’57 Chevy pickup. When her engine started, it was a low, barrel-chested growl. Solid and reassuring, not predatory. But she liked it that way.

Sweat coated her palms as she drove into town. She needed to know the real reason Caleb was in town, and prayed to God it wasn’t because of her emails.

Author Info

Crista McHugh is a multiple award-winning author of fantasy romance and paranormal romance with heroines who are smart, sexy, and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

Hi everyone. I have the cover reveal for Deconstructing Lila today along with a giveaway. First some about the book

Blurb
Preservationist Lila Gentry returns to her small Texas hometown to restore the famous Chisholm Trial whorehouse where her great-great grandmother was a madam in the 1880s. On her agenda is winning back Jake, the one that got away. But how do you rope a man who doesn’t want to be wrangled?

Jake lives by one creed: Keep it simple. His ex showing up in town, and rehashing old feelings complicates his life and makes him think about things he's rather forget.

When Lila’s restoration project is threatened before it even begins, she turns to Jake for help. Working together stirs up old feelings but while Lila and Jake always sizzle between the sheets – or wherever the moment takes them – it will involve some sweet-talking and finesse to bring these two together.

Cici Trent, vampire and media darling, spends her days finding true love for humans and supernaturals (the “Others”) at her dating agency. But someone is trying to sabotage her business and she needs help. Unfortunately, the best man for the job is the one who broke her still-beating heart two hundred fifty-four years ago.

Deacon is a patient vampire. He’s only loved one woman in over three hundred years— CiCi— and she chose another. So when she shows up in his office asking for help, he finally has the chance to lay that demon to rest. He’ll help her, but for a price—a night in his bed.

Adrenaline, mischief, and a little late-night B&E light the passion that even a couple of lifetimes couldn’t put out. But Deacon has a secret and when Cici is suddenly mortal, his deception might be the only way restore her immortality. Can love bridge the gap between a heartbeat and forever?

My Review

Cici believes supernaturals and humans can find true love. She runs a dating service to set them up. Now she has a problem her clients are turning up dead and she is a suspect. She will have to go to Deacon a man from her past to keep her safe and figure out who is behind it all. She and Deacon were once in love and for hundreds of years she has kept her distance. She still loves Deacon. Deacon has always loved Cici and will do anything to keep her safe. Deacon has his own secrets as well. He knows more about her past than she does and he is afraid it will push her away. They both agree to the cost of his protection and it is to be in his bed. Deacon's past may have more to do with the danger than even he knew.

I really liked this book. Besides the vampires it has shifters, witches, fae and more. Cici and Deacon belong together even though they have pushed each other away many times. Cici doesn't have a clue her maker is and that has always bothered her. She hates to ask Deacon for help since he doesn't believe in love but she knows he is the best. She doesn't care to pay him in the way he ask. They both have tons of heat between them and it seems ever time the get together a danger keeps them apart. The book does have a twist I didn't see coming and I was surprised by it. It really shows how much Deacon does care and if you didn't like him before you will love him after it. If you like paranormal romance with an element of danger you will like this one.

4 out of 5 Stars

ABOUT ROBIN COVINGTONRobin Covington, who NYT Best Selling authors, Robyn Carr and Carly Phillips, said was their new “auto-buy author”, writes sizzling hot contemporary and paranormal romance.

A Night of Southern Comfort, her best-selling debut novel was named a 2012 finalist in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Awards, earned 4.5 stars and was touted by RT Book Reviews as bringing a “fresh, modern feel to the genre while still sticking to the things that get our adrenaline pumping — sex and danger”. When she’s not exploring the theme of fooling around and falling in love, she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Mangianello.

Robin is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Washington Romance Writers, a faculty member at Romance University, a member of the Waterworld Mermaids, and a contributor to the Happy Ever After blog at USA Today. You can find Robin on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter (@RobinCovington).

GiveawayPump Up Your Book and Robin are teaming up to give away a $50 Amazon Gift Card and 10 Swag Packs!Terms & Conditions:By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.11 winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive each of the prizesThis giveaway begins March 24 and ends on April 4.Winners will be contacted via email on April 5, 2014.Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Once Crazaniak convinces Shannon she needs his protection, they partner to unearth secrets her husband left behind—secrets involving a Tanzanian mine that yields perfect blue diamonds coveted by dealers around the world—secrets connected to a terrorist leader Crazanaik has vowed to take down.

With danger surrounding them, two emotionally wounded souls bond, but can they put their demons to rest and trust in love? Can they survive long enough to find out?

My Review

Shannon has had her world tor apart before. Now she finds herself in a new danger. A man thinks her deceased husband took money and a diamond from him and wants her to turn them over. Her only protection is FBI agent Tony Crazaniak. She doesn't trust him all the way and she doesn't think her husband has done anything wrong. While the danger keeps piling up around her she has to face the fact her husband had secrets he kept from her and that she may have to trust Tony. Tony knows Shannon is hiding things from him but he needs to keep her safe and track down the men behind the whole operation one who is a known terrorist. While they are together they both begin to fall for each other and have to hop they can truly trust each other.

This book is packed full of danger and suspense. It seems like Shannon can't catch a break even though she has had the most horrible thing happen to her. Something she blames her self for and something no one should ever go through. I felt so sorry for her but I hated how she didn't trust the ones she should and did trust others. She has a lot to learn about her husband and she hates how it makes her feel. Tony is a great guy who puts up with a lot from Shannon. He is very protective and caring person. He has to put his wants to the side to do his job. I really like this book and how far both main characters grow and see the important things in life. They see each other for who each one is. Besides the danger there is also the romance. It may happen quickly between them but they have no one to hurt and they make a great pair. If you enjoy a book with suspense with great characters give this one a try.

4 out of 5 Stars

Excerpt

Five minutes after Shannon's houseguest headed for the shower, she meandered down the hallway and hesitated before knocking on the bedroom door.

"Hey, Crazaniak, you want me to send your shirt and Jockeys through a quick cycle in the washer and dryer?" And how about sending your pants and jacket out to the cleaners? She rolled her eyes, knowing she had no intention of doing any such thing, or of actually meeting a crazed gunman alone. Maybe she could convince Crazaniak to lurk in the background while she interviewed the Hulk and pushed for more information about his claimed connection with Tyler.

Meanwhile, the only reply from Crazaniak's neck of the woods was the sound of water flowing noisily through the pipes. Since she'd already decided it would be a nice gesture to "tidy his whiteys," she turned the knob and tentatively stepped in. It was her bedroom.

The gun she came across at the bottom of a neatly folded stack of masculine attire on her bed shouldn't have surprised her. She'd seen the Glock earlier. Intrigued, she reached for the pistol, an object that seemed so out of place in her bedroom. As though she were familiar with handling firearms when she wasn't, she wrapped her hand around the grip then jerked her head toward the bathroom door, conjuring up thriller fantasies.

But she didn't have to conjure anything when she noticed a letter poking out of his inside jacket pocket. Nor did she have to imagine the fact that the closet door stood slightly ajar. Her stomach clenched, a mix of anger and unease. Had the FBI agent been nosing through Tyler's belongings?

Tit for tat--the urge to sneak a peek overwhelmed her. Her heartbeat ratcheted up as she shifted the gun to her left hand and reached for the letter.

At that instant, she sensed a presence behind her.

Even as the sound of water pounded the walls of the tub enclosure, Shannon knew in her heart of hearts that six-foot-plus of dripping wet, naked man stood not relaxing under the water jets, but hovering five heart-palpitating feet away.

"Want to toss me my clothes?" he asked.

Unwilling to face him, she remained quick-frozen like a pillar of salt.

"Tell me you weren't snooping in my things," he rumbled.

"Tell me you weren't snooping in my closet."

"I wasn't snooping."

She eyed the edge of the letter. "I thought I'd treat your duds to some suds. You want to hang out in my robe for a few?"

"Not enough material there to cover my manly attributes. I'll settle for day-old Jockeys, and what the hell were you going to do with my pistol?"

"Nothing." She almost turned around.

Her chest thumped. The thought of Crazaniak au natural not only spiked her pulse, it titillated her imagination. She waited for a chord of guilt to strum across her heart. It didn't happen. Instead, discord fluttered low in her abdomen, and she sensed him moving closer.

Mal Olson writes adrenaline kicked romantic suspense. She enjoys skydiving, ski jumping, SCUBA, hang gliding, big wave surfing, car racing, mountain climbing—that is, vicariously through her characters, who are always kick-ass, and often boss her around rather than allowing her to spin her stories the way she intends. (She did, however, personally engage in zip lining this past summer.)

Her debut novel Shadow of Deceit, released by The Wild Rose Press in 2012, is an edge of the seat romantic suspense-thriller set in Milwaukee and parts of northern Wisconsin. A couple of her favorite reviews came from Beverly at The Wormhole, who said, "Wow! This one has it all! Non-stop action, hot and sexy characters, betrayal, smokin' romance, and a thrilling plot--" and Gothic Mom's Book Review, which stated, "In the 150+ books that I read per year, there are very few that receive a five star rating. Shadow of Deceit did just that. Non stop action, sexual tension, an adventure that had me on the edge of my seat...A fantastic book that had me from page one..."

Olson also offers two short stories. Danger Zone, which has spent months in the Kindle top 100 free romantic suspense category, is a guaranteed fifteen minute pulse pounder where two strangers survive a rock 'n roll landing on an icy Milwaukee runway and chase a could-be terrorist into the danger zone. Me and Brad, a feel good romance, features an irresistible K-9 and was ranked in the Kindle free top 100 list for months in the Contemporary Romance category.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. Other than my family I have two big passions racing and reading. I thought why not have a have a blog combining them. You might know me from Paranormal Reads where I help run the Facebook and Blog with some wonderful ladies who got me started in blogging and who will always have my love and friendship. I love all kinds of books so there will be many kinds posted. I welcome comments and will always reply to them. Happy Reading to you all!

FTC

FTC Disclosure

Any book I review has come from me buying it, the library, a publisher, author, Netgalley or Edelweiss. No matter where I get them from it does sway my review one bit. My reviews are my own thoughts on books.